Light Assault

Page Contents Current As of Patch:

GU14

Light Assault
Jump Jets, High Mobility
Attributes
Type	Infantry
500
500
500
500
Weapon Types
Primaries	Carbines, Shotguns, Submachine Guns
Secondaries	Pistols
Equipment
Suit Slot	Advanced Shield Capacitor, Ammunition Belt, Nanoweave Armor, Flak Armor, Grenade Bandolier, Adrenaline Pump

Class Overview

The Light Assault’s extreme mobility is their defining trait and allows them to move faster than most other soldiers. Each one of the Light Assault’s various Jumpjet configurations grants them the ability to take on different obstacles, shifting their role in combat. The Standard Jumpjets allow them to make their way over barriers and enemy’s heads alike. They can also equip more specialized configurations, such as the hovering Drifter Jets, to descend on vulnerable ground targets safely and cross chasms otherwise untraversable.

The Light Assault also excels at supporting their empire through their unique class grenades. The blinding Flash grenades can render entire squads helpless and allow for a momentary break in defenses. They also have access to Smoke grenades, which can be used to block sniper alleys and direct the flow of combat. Both of the Light Assault’s class explosives are important in allowing their empire to make the final push in capturing difficult objectives.

In addition to their utility on the field, they also excel at short to medium range combat. The Light Assault is able to choose from a diverse arsenal of various weapon types, including rifles, shotguns, and SMGs. These options allow them to adapt to whatever their environment demands. The best Light Assault soldiers make sure to use their powerful weapons with the element of surprise, disabling enemies before they know what hit them.

Though not as sturdy as other soldiers, the agile Light Assault can do serious damage when flanking enemy squads, taking advantage of both their vast weapon and support options. Whether acting alone to disrupt enemy forces or in a group to finish capturing a facility, the Light Assault is a fearsome presence on the battlefields of Auraxis.

Certifications

Light Assault Certifications
Category	Certification Name	Levels and Cost
Ability Slot	Skirmisher Jump Jets	DefaultAllows the use of low rocket-assisted jumps with a short cooldown. 10Increases fuel capacity and regeneration speed by 8%. 50Increases fuel capacity and regeneration speed by 11%. 100Increases fuel capacity and regeneration speed by 14%. 150Increases fuel capacity and regeneration speed by 17%. 500Increases fuel capacity and regeneration speed by 20%.
	Drifter Jump Jets	50Drifter Jumpjets allow the user to safely glide across long distances for up to 15 seconds. 100Improves thruster efficiency, increasing total air time by 4 seconds. 150Improves thruster efficiency, increasing total air time by 7 seconds. 200Improves thruster efficiency, increasing total air time by 11 seconds. 500Improves thruster efficiency, increasing total air time by 15 seconds.
	Icarus Jump Jets	50Icarus Jump Jets provide significantly faster vertical thrust and fuel recharge rate at the cost of in-air maneuverability and overall fuel capacity. 100Increases fuel regeneration rate to 12.5% per second. 200Increases fuel regeneration rate to 14% per second. 500Increases fuel regeneration rate to 16.5% per second. 1000Increases fuel regeneration rate to 20% per second.
	Ambusher Jump Jets	150Ambusher Jump Jets provides a quick burst of forward thrust, with limited vertical height and an 8 seconds cooldown between uses. 200Ambusher Jump Jets provides a quick burst of forward thrust, with limited vertical height and an 7.5 seconds cooldown between uses. 250Ambusher Jump Jets provides a quick burst of forward thrust, with limited vertical height and an 7 seconds cooldown between uses. 500Ambusher Jump Jets provides a quick burst of forward thrust, with limited vertical height and an 6.5 seconds cooldown between uses. 1000Ambusher Jump Jets provides a quick burst of forward thrust, with limited vertical height and an 6 seconds cooldown between uses.
Suit Slot	Adrenaline Pump	30Increases the user's sprint speed by 10% while equipped.
	Advanced Shield Capacitor	-Increases the speed at which your shields recharge to full by 33%, and reduces the delay before your shield begins recharging by 1 second. -Increases the speed at which your shields recharge to full by 38%, and reduces the delay before your shield begins recharging by 1 second. -Increases the speed at which your shields recharge to full by 42%, and reduces the delay before your shield begins recharging by 1 second. -Increases the speed at which your shields recharge to full by 45%, and reduces the delay before your shield begins recharging by 1 second. DefaultIncreases the speed at which your shields recharge to full by 50%, and reduces the delay before your shield begins recharging by 1 second.
	Flak Armor	1Reduces damage taken from frag grenades and common explosions by 50%. 10Reduces damage taken from frag grenades and common explosions by 50%, and infantry rockets by 20%. 50Reduces damage taken from frag grenades and common explosions by 50%; and infantry rockets and light anti-vehicle explosives by 20%. 150Reduces damage taken from frag grenades and common explosions by 50%; and infantry rockets, light anti-vehicle, and air-to-ground explosives by 20%. 1000Reduces damage taken from frag grenades and common explosions, C4, and Anti-Tank Mines by 50%; and infantry rockets, light anti-vehicle, and air-to-ground explosives by 20%.
	Grenade Bandolier	100Allows 1 additional grenade of any type to be carried. 150Allows 2 additional grenades of any type to be carried. 500Allows 3 additional grenades of any type to be carried.
	Nanoweave Armor	1This woven armor mesh reduces the bodyshot damage taken from sniper rifles by 20%. 10This woven armor mesh reduces the bodyshot damage taken from sniper rifles and heavy machine guns by 20%. 50This woven armor mesh reduces the bodyshot damage taken from sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, and gatling guns by 20%. 150This woven armor mesh reduces the bodyshot damage taken from sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, gatling guns, aircraft noseguns, and anti-aircraft machineguns by 20%. 1000This woven armor mesh reduces the bodyshot damage taken from sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, gatling guns, aircraft machineguns, anti-aircraft machineguns, and anti-materiel rifles by 20%.
	Ammunition Belt	DefaultGrants access to the Ammunition Belt which allows soldier to carry 1 additional magazine for both their primary and sidearms weapons, and increases reload speed by 15% for weapons in those slots. 10Allows soldiers to carry 2 additional magazines for both their primary and sidearm weapons, and increases reload speed by 15% for weapons in those slots. 100Allows soldiers to carry 3 additional magazines for both their primary and sidearm weapons, and increases reload speed by 15% for weapons in those slots. 1000Allows soldiers to carry 4 additional magazines for both their primary and sidearm weapons, and increases reload speed by 15% for weapons in those slots.
	Flight Suit	30Integrated storage cells increase maximum fuel by 30% for most jump jet types. Ambusher Jump Jets regenerate fuel 10% faster. 100Integrated storage cells increase maximum fuel by 35% for most jump jet types. Ambusher Jump Jets regenerate fuel 15% faster. 200Integrated storage cells increase maximum fuel by 38% for most jump jet types. Ambusher Jump Jets regenerate fuel 17.5% faster. 500Integrated storage cells increase maximum fuel by 40% for most jump jet types. Ambusher Jump Jets regenerate fuel 20% faster.
	Munitions Pouch	30Allows the user to carry 1 additional Rocklet Rifle magazine, and holstered rocklet rifle will auto-reload every 8 seconds. . 50Allows the user to carry 2 additional Rocklet Rifle magazines, and holstered rocklet rifle will auto-reload every 8 seconds. . 150Allows the user to carry 3 additional Rocklet Rifle magazines, and holstered rocklet rifle will auto-reload every 8 seconds. .
Grenade Slot	Flash Grenade	200Upon detonation, this Flash Grenade will temporarily blind, deafen, and reduce the accuracy of infantry within its blast range, making it perfect for breaching crowded rooms.
	Quick-Det Flash Grenade	150This short-fuse version of the standard Flash Grenade will temporarily blind and deafen infantry targets, but do so with less effectiveness as the original.
	Smoke Grenade	200A grenade which produces a large smoke screen capable of providing cover for a short period of time.
	Impulse Grenade	200Allows the Light Assault to use Impulse grenades.
Utility Slot	C-4 (Explosive)	200C4 Explosives are capable of incredible damage to infantry and vehicles alike. 500Increases maximum C-4 capacity by 1.

Class Specific Abilities

The Light Assault class is a combat class that is most effective when using their signature jump jets to flank enemies. One of the two direct combat classes, the Light Assault does not have the head-to-head combat advantage that the overshield gives to Heavy Assault. For this reason, the Light Assault excels when using buildings, rocks, trees or anything else to flank the enemy and attack from an unexpected angle. The Light Assault has access to three types of jet packs: (Note: the jump jets are the only ability in the game to not be triggered by the ability key. Instead they are triggered by holding down the jump button.)

Jump Jets are the default jet that provide a mid-ground between the Drifter and Icarus Jump Jets. They allow a player to fly up while still retaining some horizontal control. They also can be used to safely land an otherwise deadly drop. Upgrading the Jump Jets increases the fuel capacity and reduces recharge time. 

Drifter jump jets trade the default Jet's vertical thrust for horizontal thrust, and have a much longer burn time (up to 30 seconds!). They offer a great deal of horizontal movement and can be used to move faster than a sprint. When holding an directional key, the Drifters will actually cause the player to lose height very slowly. When no directional key is held, the player will gain height also very slowly, but this should be used with caution as hovering players are easy targets. Drifter Jets are best used in bases where vertical height is freely available, these include any base with jump pads, elevators or teleporters. Drifters are ideal for hovering above unsuspecting tanks and destroying them with C4. Upgrading the Drifter jump jets hugely increases their hang time, from 7 to 30 seconds. (Note: pressing a forward directional key will keep the player's momentum, but holding a sideways directional key with slow the player to running speed. When using Jump Pads or bailing from air vehicles, it is often desired to keep the forward momentum advantage, which can allow the player to get to places hundreds of meters away from the Jump Pad in a matter of seconds. To do this, the player must avoid pressing a horizontal movement key and instead aim the Light Assault by facing the direction they wish to go.)

Icarus Jump Jets are the opposite of the Drifter jets, trading horizontal movement for vertical boosting. With the Icarus, a trooper is able to reach locations that only aircraft tend to frequent, enabling them to survey the battlefield from trees, cliffs, or towers; mount the gun deck of a facility and take down turrets; or in the cases of skilled soldiers, allows one to intercept a low-flying gunship or troop carrier and deliver a payload of explosives normally reserved for tanks. It should be noted that the Icarus jets allow for extreme altitude to be reached, and a careless trooper that uses all of their fuel may find themselves reunited with the ground in a messy way. Icarus jets will decrease all movement speed to less than running speed while in use, making horizontal traverse very difficult. Upgrading Icarus jets will not increase the maximum height, but will increase the energy recovery speed.

Light Assaults are the only class with access to the Flash Grenade and the Smoke Grenade. The flash grenade will whiten the screen of any player caught in the blast radius, to a greater or lesser degree. This can be helpful when breaching heavily defended rooms. The smoke grenade will billow a large amount of smoke, obscuring vision for all player in the area. This can be used to create distraction or cover for allies or to create havoc in a group of enemies. When using smoke, it is highly suggested to use a thermal scope, as they can see through the smoke.

Class Weapons

The following weapons types are available to the Light Assault class:

• Carbines
• Submachine Guns
• Shotguns
• Sidearms

Class Cert Builds

How to spend your first 520 points:

• Adrenaline Pump - 30 pts, Increased Sprint speed
• Jump Jets Level 3 - 160 pts, Significant increase to your jumpjet fuel and regen
• Carbine : Reflex Sight - 30 pts, Better than default iron sights
• Carbine : Laser Sight - 100 pts, More accuracy firing from the hip
• Explosives: C-4 - 200 pts, Because your job is to cause havoc and these cause a lot of it

Additionally, you can spend points on First Aid certifications, like the Med Kit or Restoration Kit. For short range increase in firepower, consider upgrading your weapon to one of your faction's Shotguns.

Special Ability: Jump jets

Jump Jets allow Light Assault troopers to fly through the air for short periods of time, enabling them to scale or float over terrain. There are three types of jump jets: Standard, Drifter, and Icarus.

Standard jump jets allow you to gain elevation at the cost of fuel. This is the recommended jump jet if you are willing to go up and defend a base frog jumping across buildings, making it an ideal jet for 1v1 combat. They also allow you to slow your descent from an air vehicle, building, or cliff. Jump jet fuel regenerates over time and the capacity and regeneration speed can be increased through certifications.

Drifter jump jets trade the Light Assault's vertical thrust for horizontal thrust, allowing you to glide for much longer at higher speeds. These jump jets are useful when inserting into a base from atop a cliff or building fairly far away, allowing you to greatly slow your descent over a long distance. Drifter jump jets are also useful when jumping out of aircraft that are not directly over the dropzone due to enemy anti-air or hostile aircraft. Drifter jets have minimal vertical thrust, allowing them to be used to mount smaller obstacles and squat buildings given a full tank of fuel and enough time; however, this leaves the jumper exposed the entire time they are boosting to the top.

Icarus Jump Jets are the opposite of the Drifter jets, trading horizontal movement for vertical boosting. With the Icarus, a trooper is able to reach locations that only aircraft tend to frequent, enabling them to survey the battlefield from trees, cliffs, or towers; mount the gun deck of a facility and take down turrets; or in the cases of skilled soldiers, allows one to intercept a low-flying gunship or troop carrier and deliver a payload of explosives normally reserved for tanks. It should be noted that the Icarus jets allow for extreme altitude to be reached, and a careless trooper that uses all of their fuel may find themselves reunited with the ground in a messy way.

Light Assault Loadouts

• Light Assault Loadout: Lightning Skirmisher
• Light Assault Loadout: Base Jumper
• Light Assault Loadout: Offense is the Best Defense
• Light Assault Loadout: Last Stand
• Light Assault Loadout: Boba Fett - Bounty Hunter

Class Strategy

Overview

Light Assault infantry are not just the foot soldiers of Planetside 2. They provide the asymmetric advantage to an empire by enabling offensive and defensive options that can quickly turn the tide of a battle. Jump Jets give Light Assault the maneuverability to apply firepower from multiple unexpected directions.

Light Assault's weapons when fully upgraded are very deadly at close to medium range.

Taking on vehicles directly is highly ill-advised without access to C-4 certifications as your primary weapons cannot harm heavily armored tanks. Instead, focus your attacks on other infantry units and taking objectives. If you're hard pressed to attempt to take out a vehicle, ensure you've certified in C-4 and place it carefully.

Scout

Use Light Assault's jump jets to gain height and gain visual advantage of a battlefield. Jump to the tops of buildings and towers and crouch down behind objects to remain unseen. From here you can spot/ID enemy players for your empire. You can also use your jump jets to float up to balconies and peek into windows of buildings you are about to assault. Teamed up with an infiltrator, you can coax an enemy player out into the open by taking a few shots into the windows and flying away so that your infiltrator buddy can snipe them from afar as they run out to look for you.

Assault

Many base and outpost battles in the game form a semi-dynamic forward line of troops where much of the fighting occurs. Beyond the normal soldier-with-a-gun on the front lines, Light Assault infantry must constantly be used to flank and maneuver around the enemy. By finding an alternate means of attacking a facility, building, or an enemy in cover, you enable greater flexibility for your empire and reduce the options for your enemy.

Don't follow the worn path; make your own! In large groups, Light Assault should look like a swarm of bees closing in on a target. Hop from building to building, through roof entrances and trees. Constantly try to position yourself perpendicular to the line of fire between your empire and the enemy in order to apply pressure on your enemy's flanks. Always be on the move; wreak havoc and confusion throughout the battlefield by jumping onto vehicles and making yourself a very hard target to hit. But be wary, flying around can also make your opponent a very difficult target to hit as well as the jump jets can affect your aim drastically. A useful weapon upgrade to have as Light Assault is the laser dot attachment which allows you to quickly point at targets by following the red dot line without having to zoom-in aim.

Fight the opposition's infantry and always keep moving; stay away from their vehicles if possible. Use your speed to get to the objectives and terminals. Take control of outpost spawn point security terminals. Make sure you bring along an Infiltrator so they can hack into vehicle/equipment terminals and phalanx turrets so your empire can use them along the way. If there are no Infiltrators and you cannot switch classes with a nearby Sunderer around, feel free to shoot the vehicle/equipment terminals to destroy them. One of your Engineers can repair them once the base is taken over.

As you approach shield control generators and spawn control units, consider the current fighting environment. If you've got a large force from your empire right behind you, start the self destruct overload sequence and keep moving. If there's no one around and the outpost seems pretty empty, feel free to jump up on top of an object in the room and stand guard as the overload process counts down.

Airborne Ranger

Load up your best friends in a Galaxy and hot drop into the Landing Zone. Use your jumpjets to slow and direct your fall. Watching light assault jump out of a Galaxy not only looks cool, but it is a very effective way to surgically insert firepower into a base to either confront the enemy directly or find an undefended entrance or platform.

No friends? Take to the skies solo during an assault on a base with an ESF. Often times however, when first getting into the game, it may be difficult to catch a ride in a Galaxy to the frontlines. You can select instant action from the map screen, but the dropships give you very little flexibility and control of where and how you are inserted into the fight. Instead, consider hopping into a fighter and doing some damage to the phalanx turrets or vehicles around the base then eject and slow your descent down with your jump jets.

Drifter jump jets are very useful in "gliding" into a dropzone from a Galaxy (or a cliff overlooking a base if you are into "base" jumping!) where the airspace above the dropzone is too congested or well-defended. This will keep the Galaxy at a safe distance away from anti-aircraft weapons while still allowing you to cover the distance into the base.

Weapon Ribbons and Medals

With any class, you have the ability to gain Ribbons which will further increase your experience and certifications after completing specific tasks. This list does not include possible vehicle, base capture, or kill/assist related ribbons while playing in a vehicle as that class.

Ribbons

Weapon Ribbons

Ribbon	Icon	Requirements
Carbine Ribbon		10 kills.
Explosive Ribbon		10 kills.
Pistol Ribbon		10 kills.
Knife Ribbon		10 kills.
Shotgun Ribbon		10 kills.
Submachine Gun Ribbon		10 kills.

Find out more on the Service Ribbons article.

Medals

Medal	Icon	Requirement	Award
No Medal		0 kills	N/A
Copper Medal		10 kills	2
Silver Medal		60 kills	10
Gold Medal		160 kills	20
Auraxium Medal		1,160 kills	200

Tutorials/Tips/Gameplay Videos

Strategy and Tactics

• Tech Plant - Base Strategies
• Bio Lab - Base Strategies
• Amp Station - Base Strategies

Videos

Light Assault Guide-Planetside 2

Planetside 2 light assault guide

Planetside 2 Light Assault Review - Scopes, Certs & Jetpacks - Max Settings 1080p!

Light Assault Review by MittFisto

Planetside 2 Light assault basic tutorial(reboot)

Planetside 2 Advanced Light Assault Guide